Episode Details

Podcast Segment Description: Rep. Fred Shanks on the ABC Liquor Distribution Crisis & House Bill 2838 FixState Representative Fred Shanks joins Clay Edwards for a straight-talk Capitol update on the ongoing ABC liquor distribution meltdown that’s crippling small businesses across Mississippi. Stores are placing orders and prepaying for dozens of cases, only to receive a fraction of what they paid for — leaving thousands of dollars tied up in undelivered inventory. This isn’t just about empty shelves; it’s hitting restaurants, bars, liquor retailers, tips, employee hours, and local economies hard. The major development? The House just passed House Bill 2838, a game-changing reform now headed to the Senate. Under the bill: If ABC fails to deliver your order on time, liquor stores can immediately bypass the state system and buy directly from private distributors.
Stores can still use ABC if they want — or go pick it up themselves.
The tax rate drops significantly from 27.5% down to 15% when sourcing outside the ABC system.
It opens the door to real free enterprise: stores can team up, negotiate deals, and even source across state lines.

The legislation includes a two-year repealer so lawmakers can review and tweak the new system. Shanks reports strong momentum in the Senate and urges listeners to contact their senators to help get it passed. They also touch on the direct-to-consumer spirits shipping bill and how the session has been impacted by other priorities. Raw, insider details straight from the Capitol on the conservative fix Mississippi businesses desperately need. Essential listening for anyone in hospitality or who wants government out of the way.